Ballia (Inde) - Trove of 4,000-year-old remains

A team of archaeologists is trying to unravel the pages of history in a small village in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh as remains from the New Stone Age are being regularly excavated.

"During excavation work being carried out in Puccakot village, rare remains of Neolithic age upto Gupta period have been recovered," professor RS Dubey, heading the excavation work being carried out by archaeological department of the Banaras Hindu University, told PTI over phone.

"These artefacts and remains could prove very important for detailed study of the civilisation and culture during this period," he said.

Professor Dubey said the artefacts recovered during the excavation which began in February could be as much as 4,000-years-old and point towards highly developed culture in the area between the Neolithic age and Gupta period.

The remains recovered indicate that the area was developed from commercial and trade points of view, he said, adding that they present a chain of civilisations during different periods.

"This is not a common phenomenon and it seems that once people with an advanced lifestyle used to inhabit this area," Prof Dubey said.

The excavated artefacts include earthen utensils, weapons made from bones, terocotta toys, figures of parrots and coins of different periods ranging from King Ashoka's rein to the Gupta period.

Nearly two dozen sealings from Ahoska's period to the Gupta period with inscriptions bearing names of different people in Brahmi language have also been recovered from the excavation site.

"A fort made of bricks has been found at the excavation site. This could be the reason this area was named Puccakot," professor Dubey said.

He said from carvings on the objects excavated and other indications, it appears that the place was originally called Shrenipur.

The inscriptions found at the excavation sites are being studied and scientific analysis of other remains, including metallic examination of coins, will be carried out, he said, adding that scientific analysis, which include carbon dating and expert study of flora and fauna, would help in getting more details of the site.

"It will tell what were the major crops, what the lifestyle actually was and other intricate details. This could also lead to revelation of new facts relating to the then civilisation," he said.

"The excavation, which started on February 28, is likely to be wrapped up by mid May, but after examination of the remains, if required, it may be resumed," professor Dubey said.